being originally from Michigan the lupus foundation of Michigan switched affiliation from LFA to Lupus Alliance around 10 years ago. I now live in Colorado ant there is neither the LFA or the Lupus Alliance. there is, however The Lupus Foundation of Colorado. I was told that the LFC will not associate with the LFA because of all the red tape and politics. Personally, I prefer the Lupus Alliance over the LFA.

I am the only one in my family with an autoimmune disease, My old boyfriend has 5 sisters, all of whom have lupus. I believe that researchers have made progress with the genetic mapping, but are still looking for the genetic link.

I am convinced that my lupus was caused by either environmental factors or because my mom was given DES during her pregnancy with me. I cannot locate her medical records to confirm this, but my cousin who is one year older than me is what they call a "DES daughter" She suffers from many issues due to the fact that her mother was given DES while she was pregnant. My mom and her sister both went to the same OB/GYN. so it would be logical to assume that the doctor would have used the same medicine on my mom, especially because she started spotting while she was carrying me.

They now say that problems from DES can be passed to the subsequent generations.